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by PopMatters Staff

I’m not necessarily entirely huge on the electronic funk that Silicon seems to be bringing to the table, but I can definitely appreciate it for what it is from a technical standpoint. He’s being remarkably clean-cut with their mastering for a debut release, and that’s something that I think will carry them far within their respective lane. A bit too calculated to be quite sensual to me, which seems to be what the song is trying to evoke, though I know there’ll be plenty who’ll dig it all the same.—JONATHAN FRAHM [6/10]

No longer one half of country duo Steel Magnolia, and coming off a run on The Voice that saw here place second, Meghan Linsey has undergone a transformation from mainstream country chanteuse to pop/soul belter. And judging by what you hear on her new EP Believer below, the new sound suits the Louisiana-raised, Nashville-based singer to a tee. Produced by Ashley Monroe collaborator Tyler Cain, Believer retains enough country influence to attract listeners from that side, but make no mistake, this is one assertive, sassy little pop record with strong crossover appeal, highlighted by the Southern-tinged rocker “Counterfeit” and thunderous ballad “Best of Me”.

Just in time for the dog days of summer, musician W. Heyward Sims, AKA Devereaux, has released a video for his current single “Bikini”, from the 2014 album Pineapple Flex. A sun-splashed chillwave-meets-Kraftwerk piece that evokes the dreamy, hot laziness of late July, the video itself is simple yet effective, nothing more than slow-motion footage of seagulls swooping on a beach. Normally in real life that’d be annoying as hell, but on video the movement of the birds comes across as languid and graceful, just like the hooky little track itself.

by PopMatters Staff

PopMatters is launching this new section called Singles Going Steady where we will cover new songs and videos using an in-the-round format with multiple writers from the PM staff. Readers are encouraged to contribute their own review and rating in the comments section.

Comprised of former members of West coast indie bands P:ano and Lost Lovers Brigade, synthpop duo Fake Tears heads in a much more different direction, not only finding warmth in artificiality, but juxtaposing a pop aesthetic with a strong experimental mindset. Larissa Loyva and Elisha My Rembold create smart electropop, their rich vocal harmonies meshing beautifully with the vintage sounds of analog synths. It’s a beautiful, classic sound but with a modern perspective, and Nightshifting, their debut album for Mint Records, highlighted by the title track, achieves a kind of Giorgio Moroder-meets-Tangerine Dream feel.